Senegal's Ndiaye: ''The national team is open to everyone and no spot is sealed''

DAKAR (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Senegal are hoping to punch their ticket to the last round of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers on home court when they host the June-July window in Dakar, Senegal.

Abdourahmane Ndiaye, who took over the helm of the team in December 2017, is resolved to seeing the “Teranga Lions” sailing through to the next round unperturbed.

Ndiaye led Senegal to a top spot finish in Group D during the first-leg in February 2018. 

They began with a 70-65 win over the Central African Republic in their first game. The second was a 67-60 setback against Cote d'Ivoire but the Lions showed great character beating host Mozambique 60-52 in their last game.

Ndiaye, who is in his second stint with Senegal’s flagship selection, wants a strong team of courageous players willing to go the extra mile for a win on home court. 

The former Senegal international, who oversaw his team’s first training camp recently in Dakar, has hinted only the best will don the Senegalese jersey during the June-July window.

"The national team is opened to everyone and no spot is sealed. Only the best will feature for Senegal. I want a combative team and I need the players to adhere to my philosophy. If they do, that will be great. I want a team of fighters, not star players," Ndiaye told local media.

"I WANT PLAYERS WHO ARE ON THE COURT TO WIN, PLAYERS WHO KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM"- Ndiaye

After a 3-day training camp in Dakar with 14 players, 12 of which were local based, Ndiaye is confident his team can do something special in the June-July window.

"The players looked better technically than what I saw in February. I always tell the boys they have what it takes to qualify for the FIBA Basketball  World Cup 2019, that’s why they are here. Even though the team looks sharper than a few months ago, we still have to work on some of our defensive tactics," he explained.

“I am upbeat after what I saw. The best players of the national league were here and settled in quickly. They respect one another which is important for team cohesion. That to me is the basis of life in the national team. I want players who are on the court to win, players who know what it means to play for the national team” Ndiaye offered.

The Teranga Lions will be gunning for their fifth berth in the FIBA Basketball World Cup after competing in 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014.

Senegal begin the June-July window with a clash against the Central African Republic on June 29.

FIBA